Emergency Services & Preparedness in The Hills
Nestled in steep canyon terrain and the wildland-urban interface (WUI), Burlingame Hills requires every resident to be prepared. Keep these essential contacts and guidelines handy.
Emergency Services Directory by Jurisdiction
Because Burlingame Hills is divided between the City of Burlingame and unincorporated San Mateo County, keep the specific non-emergency dispatch and utility numbers for your home address at hand.
| Service | City of Burlingame Residents | Unincorporated County Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement | Burlingame Police: (650) 777-4100 | County Sheriff: (650) 259-2300 (Dispatch: 650-363-4911) |
| Fire Protection | Central County Fire (CCFD): (650) 558-7600 | CCFD (First Responder) / Cal Fire: (650) 573-3842 |
| Gas & Electrical Leaks | Call 911, then PG&E Emergency: 1-800-743-5000 | |
| Water Service & Breaks | Burlingame Water: (650) 558-7670 (day) (650) 692-0604 (after-hours) | Burlingame Water (650-558-7670) or Hillsborough Water (650-375-7400 for Summit, Glen Aulin, 10-80 Tiptoe) |
| Public Works & Fallen Trees | Burlingame Public Works: (650) 558-7230 | San Mateo County DPW: (650) 363-4100 |
| Refuse & Recycling | Recology San Mateo County: (650) 595-3900 | |
| Animal Control | Peninsula Humane Society: (650) 340-8200 | |
Wildlife Safety: Living with Mountain Lions, Bobcats & Coyotes
Burlingame Hills is the natural hillside habitat for diverse wildlife including mountain lions (cougars/pumas), bobcats, coyotes, grey foxes, raccoons, and deer. While wildlife typically avoids human contact, living along canyon boundaries requires awareness and caution.
Preventative Guidelines on Trails & Yards
- Avoid hiking, biking, or jogging alone at dawn, dusk, or at night when predators hunt.
- Keep children close and supervise pets. Keep dogs strictly on leash.
- Wear a bell or whistle so wildlife is alerted to your presence well in advance.
- Do not feed deer or leave pet food outdoors — deer attract mountain lions.
- Carry bear spray when hiking nearby open space trails and know how to operate it.
What to Do If You Encounter a Mountain Lion or Coyote
- DO NOT RUN. Running triggers an instinctual chase-and-tackle response.
- NEVER CORNER the animal. Always ensure it has a clear escape route.
- FACE THE ANIMAL. Maintain eye contact. Do not turn your back.
- PICK UP small children and pets immediately without crouching or bending over.
- APPEAR LARGE. Raise your arms, open your jacket, shout firmly, and throw objects if it approaches.
Household Defensible Space
Central County Fire Department requires three critical zones of vegetation management:
- Zone 0 (0–5 ft): Ember-resistant zone. Remove dry leaves, dead plants, wood piles, and combustible mulch from walls and eaves.
- Zone 1 (5–30 ft): Lean, clean, and green zone. Prune low-hanging branches and separate tree canopies by at least 10 feet.
- Zone 2 (30–100 ft): Reduced fuel zone. Cut grasses down to 4 inches; remove ladder fuels and dense brush.
Hands-On Fire Extinguisher Training
BHIA partners with CCFD firefighters to host live fire extinguisher workshops for residents. You will practice extinguishing real controlled propane fires using the PASS technique: